Depending on the situation, contractual language, and the reason for the limitation, you may be able to extend private disability insurance benefits if they are set to expire or have been discontinued. But the process requires extensive effort. Disabilities can hit professionals suddenly as the result of an accident or slowly due to the development of a chronic condition, but in either situation, there is no way of telling how long the disabling condition will continue to prevent you from working. Yet disability insurance policies often include built-in expiration dates that limit benefits to a specific period. If your disability continues to prevent […]

Many long-term disability insurance policies contain a provision that allows them to change eligibility requirements from “own occupation” coverage to “any occupation coverage after a set period of time, and that can lead to a termination of benefits. Claimants need to understand this policy transition and what to do to keep receiving benefits. Here we explain how “own occupation” coverage works, what to watch for in disability policy terms, how insurance companies evaluate claims under these standards, and steps you can take to maintain your benefits. What Does “Own Occupation” Coverage Mean? When you have “own occupation” coverage in your disability […]